1. Visualize the Homunculus
With a little imagination, you can see the human ear as a fetus. The earlobe represents the infant head, and the outer rim of the ear represents the spine. Its limbs are folded inward like a baby in the fetal position.
Since the ear serves as a map for the entire body, the ear is known as a homunculus. The acupuncture points on the ear then correspond to the area on the body. For example, to treat visual disorders, the site corresponding to the eye will be stimulated, either with a needle or a small but blunt object, such as a small plant seed or a probe.
This system may seem hokey, but is bona fide science, with functional MRI studies that show that the appropriate areas of the brain light up when the corresponding point is needled. Use the numerous online visual references to help with precise point location.
2. Check the Frequency
Like all acupuncture points, ear points demonstrate enhanced electrical conductivity. The difference in skin resistance can be measured in ohms, or in terms of the frequency of a sound emitted by the device in response to the conductance. A higher conductivity will generate a higher frequency and the differences between an acupuncture point and nonpoint are stark. The acupoint will read dramatically higher in frequency than a non-point right next to it. Visit an ear acupuncture specialist to learn about this unique treatment. Often ear acupuncture specialists cross-specialize in addiction therapies or pain management.
3. Probe For Tenderness
Using a small but blunt instrument, acupuncturists will test a variety of ear acupuncture points for tenderness. Just as with the electrical conductivity, the point will be significantly more reactive than a non-point immediately adjacent to it. Generally speaking, stimulating the more reactive points will yield better treatment results.
4. Breathe Like a Yogi
If you have ever taken a yoga class, you may have done alternate nostril breathing, a technique that uses the daily ultradian rhythms to balance the brain. You can use this same technique to find the best ear to treat. Ear acupuncture treatment is performed on one side while the other side is treated with ear seeds, which are left in place so that the patient can stimulate the points as needed for a few days after treatment.
Every 90 minutes, the hemispheres of the brain switch their dominance, allowing the other side to rest. As this hemispheric switching takes place, blood vessels on the dominant side of the head become more active, while the other side relaxes. Since the nose is one of only two places on the body to contain erectile tissue, the less active side can be detected by checking to see which nostril flows more freely. Since the ears cross the brain, and the left ear is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain, you can treat the dominant ear by treating on the side of the nostril that flows most freely.
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